Know Your Disease
Ovarian Cancer
The type of cancer that starts in the ovaries (female reproductive glands) is known as ovarian cancer. Any abnormal growth of tissue in the ovaries leads to ovarian cancer, and because it begins in silence, the disease is often diagnosed at a later stage. Although ovarian cancer can occur at any age, an experienced ovarian cancer doctor in Kolkata says that older women over 60 have a higher risk.
What Are Its Symptoms
In the early stages, ovarian cancer has more or less no symptoms. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are always ignored because it is similar to other diseases that are common and can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. However, if the symptoms of ovarian cancer come and go frequently, professional help should be sought. Symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
- Pressure, pain, and bloating in the abdominal area
- Difficulty eating after each meal and unusual abnormality
- Increased urination
- Unusual pain during sex
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Changes in the menstrual cycle and constipation
- Heartburn and upset stomach
- Fatigue
Although these abovementioned symptoms may be caused by another condition in the body, if a person has one or more for a significant period of time, it is advisable to consult a cancer specialist in Kolkata.
What are Its Causes
Uncontrolled cell division and multiplication in the ovary causes ovarian cancer. Although the root cause of this type of cancer is still unknown, there are several risk factors for the disease.
- Family history – If someone in the family has had ovarian or breast cancer in the past, the risk increases
- Age – Most cases of ovarian cancer are reported for women over 65• If one has never been pregnant/infertile
- Early menstruation and late menopause
- Had undergone colorectal, uterine, and breast cancers
- If hormone replacement therapy was performed
- Being overweight also increases the chances
What are the Treatment Options
Once a patient undergoes several diagnostic tests, the best oncologist in Kolkata may recommend different ovarian cancer treatment modalities in Kolkata, depending on the stage. The main treatment options for ovarian cancer include:
Surgery
Most ovarian cancers can be treated with surgery. The need for surgery usually depends on how far the cancer has spread and also on the general health of the patient. In many cases, the disease can be treated without removing the uterus and ovaries. The main goal of surgery is to remove cancer from the body completely.
Chemotherapy
When cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body, the patient must undergo chemotherapy. It is a systematic therapy in which drugs are given away to reach all parts of the body. Most often, the drugs are injected either intravenously, through a thin tube into the abdominal cavity, or through the mouth.
Hormone Therapy
Drugs that block hormones are used in hormone therapy to fight cancer. This treatment option is helpful in the treatment of ovarian stromal tumors.
Targeted Therapy
A relatively new type of therapy, targeted therapy uses drugs that directly attack cancer cells while minimally affecting the normal cells.
Radiation Therapy
Using high-energy particles or X-rays to destroy cancer cells is known as radiation therapy.However, radiation therapy works in parallel with chemotherapy or when the patient does not respond to other treatment options, says the famous cancer surgeon in Kolkata.